At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, hospital sources have told the BBC. …
Ethiopia’s army says it has repelled attacks from Tigrayan forces and their allies in parts of the north of the country, in its first statement since fighting broke out on Wednesday. …
… Kedir (35) who lives in the Berbere district of Ethiopia’s Oromia region, became an accidental environmentalist after planting thousands of trees – she has lost count of how many – inspiring others to follow suit. …
Ethiopia’s government and the party in control of the northern region of Tigray have accused each other of launching offensives, escalating fears of a return to full-scale conflict. …
… The seven groups accuse Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government of presiding over “war, genocide, mass destruction and utter poverty”, claiming Ethiopia is at risk of disintegration. …
… Ethiopia introduced similar measures in July 2025 when its Ministry of Education directed that the title “Doctor” should not be used outside the physical premises of the institution that awarded the honorary qualification. …
… Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda have introduced measures restricting honorary degree holders from using the ‘Dr’ title or limiting who can receive such awards. …
… Under his leadership, South Africa failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON, and he was fired after a home draw against Ethiopia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. …
At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, with government troops appearing to have taken control of the town and intending to push north towards Mekelle. The clashes broke out after months of tension between the government and the party controlling Tigray, and fighting has also stranded 33 tourists in the UNESCO world heritage site of Lalibela.
At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, with government troops appearing to have taken control of the town and intending to push north towards Mekelle. The clashes broke out after months of tension between the government and the party controlling Tigray, and fighting has also stranded 33 tourists in the UNESCO world heritage site of Lalibela.
Ethiopia's army says it repelled attacks from Tigrayan forces and allies in Amhara region near the Tigray border, marking the first military statement since fighting erupted on Wednesday. Tensions have escalated sharply between the federal government and Tigrayan leaders, raising fears of renewed civil war after a devastating 2020–2022 conflict.
Ethiopia is mobilising citizens to plant trees as part of efforts to address climate change and food insecurity. One woman in the Oromia region has inspired her community to plant thousands of trees despite initial scepticism, as the nation works to reverse decades of large-scale deforestation.
Ethiopia's government and Tigrayan authorities have accused each other of launching offensives, escalating fears of renewed full-scale conflict after their two-year war ended in 2022. The clashes follow recent months of mutual accusations of violating a peace deal.
Seven rebel groups including the Fano militia, Oromo Liberation Army, and Tigray People's Liberation Front have formed an alliance called Alliance for Survival, accusing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government of presiding over "war, genocide, mass destruction and utter poverty." The coalition brings together armed groups from six of Ethiopia's 12 regional states.
A Kenyan electric bus travelled from Nairobi to meet an Ethiopian electric bus at the Moyale border, demonstrating the practical realities and challenges of cross-border electric mobility in Africa, including issues with charging infrastructure, customs procedures, and the need for government coordination.
Auleria Wakudumo Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has submitted a parliamentary question calling for tighter regulation of honorary doctorates in Namibia, warning that the growing practice could undermine genuine PhD qualifications and suggesting other African countries have introduced regulatory measures to prevent political weaponisation and fraudulent use.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has tabled a notice in the National Assembly questioning whether honorary PhDs are being used to reward political connections rather than recognise genuine contributions to society. Amupanda raised concerns that younger politicians may be lobbying university vice chancellors for honorary doctorates based on limited activities, and noted that several African countries have introduced restrictions on honorary degrees while Namibia currently has none.
Pitso Mosimane was confirmed as South Africa national football coach on Tuesday, 24 days after the football association approved his appointment in August. The 62-year-old former striker succeeds Belgian Hugo Broos and has 23 days to prepare the team for their first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Guinea.
Pitso Mosimane is set to succeed Hugo Broos as coach of South Africa's national football team, pending salary negotiations. The 62-year-old South African, previously fired from the role in 2012, has since coached Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly in Egypt, and clubs in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran.
An analysis argues that while African nations invoke the slogan "A Luta Continua" ("The Struggle Continues") at celebrations and rallies, they often treat it as ceremonial rhetoric rather than as a philosophy for building prosperous, just, and self-reliant nations—the deeper meaning Samora Machel intended when he warned that defeating colonialism would be easier than creating lasting institutional and economic strength.
Extreme heat in Ethiopia's Afar region is causing camels to suffer from blisters, dehydration, and disease, with herders reporting increased mortality and loss of grazing vegetation. Scientists and animal welfare workers confirm that higher temperatures are causing stress, fatigue, and indirect hardships for the animals despite their historical resilience to harsh conditions.
Newly-appointed Africa Chess Federation secretary general Otto Nakapunda says he is ready for the new challenge and that work has already begun to transform the organisation, including setting up a head office in Ethiopia. The Namibia Sports Commission congratulated Nakapunda and Hillary Imbuwa, who was appointed as a sport management and administration expert for the International Volleyball Federation.
Namibia imports approximately 96% of the fruit consumed within its borders, almost entirely from South Africa, representing lost jobs, taxes, and processing opportunities that could benefit the domestic economy rather than neighbouring nations.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has launched a regional initiative to strengthen women's participation in the digital economy in Namibia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and the Republic of Congo by equipping female entrepreneurs with digital and financial skills and helping governments develop more inclusive digital policies. More than 1,000 women entrepreneurs are expected to receive training by 2029, and over 200 policymakers will participate in capacity-building workshops.
Hugo Broos has confirmed his exit as South Africa's national football coach after the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Multiple candidates, including Pitso Mosimane, have applied to succeed him, though the football federation may retain Broos in an advisory capacity.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund has been designated the Global Centre of Excellence for Cheetah Conservation through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with India's International Big Cat Alliance. CCF's headquarters in Namibia will serve as a global hub for training, technical cooperation, scientific research, and knowledge exchange to strengthen cheetah conservation across Africa, Asia, and other cheetah range countries.
Young leaders from Africa and other regions participated in discussions on nuclear energy cooperation, education and sustainable development at the Obninsk NEW'26 International Youth Forum in Russia, including a meeting with Rosatom Director General and members of the Impact Team 2050 International Youth Council.
An editorial argues that while Namibia needs to build domestic manufacturing capacity rather than rely on imports, the thousands of young people earning livelihoods through "Order With Me" import businesses should not be dismissed. The piece contends these entrepreneurs demonstrate innovation and market responsiveness, and government should support their transition toward higher-value activities rather than treating them as illegitimate.
The US State Department is reportedly cutting visa-issuing consulates and embassies on the African continent, including Namibia's, according to the Associated Press. The closest remaining visa-processing hubs would be South Africa's consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or Angola's Luanda consulate.
Two of Namibia's neighbours, Angola and Zambia, are among ten African countries at risk of Ebola exposure as an outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has recorded about 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths. The May 2026 outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine and mortality rates can reach up to 50 per cent.
Former Namibian health minister Dr Richard Kamwi has been appointed president of the Society for AIDS in Africa, an organisation focused on strengthening the continent's response to HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, emerging infectious diseases and broader public health issues. The appointment followed a leadership handover ceremony and executive board transition meeting held in Accra, Ghana on 14–15 May.
Namibia marked Africa Day with renewed calls for continental unity and self-reliance. President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that African nations face economic disruptions, climate change, disease outbreaks and geopolitical uncertainty, and urged strengthening regional cooperation, intra-African trade, and investment in local institutions.
Apodissi and Youth4Can have launched the Synapse project, an EU-funded three-year virtual exchange initiative co-funded under the Erasmus+ programme, designed to equip more than 2,500 young people—including women, youth from rural communities, and those with disabilities—with critical skills in leadership, innovation, and systems thinking. The project brings together institutions from Italy, Spain, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Malawi to strengthen collaboration between African and European youth.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says Angolan nationals, including children on Namibian streets, do not qualify for refugee status under Namibian law and international conventions, as they left Angola seeking socio-economic opportunities rather than fleeing persecution.
Nigeria is planning to repatriate its nationals in South Africa willing to return home voluntarily, with 130 applicants already registered, as the foreign minister condemns recent attacks on foreigners and xenophobic rhetoric. Nigeria has summoned South Africa's acting high commissioner and says it will convey its "profound concern" about incidents including marches by anti-immigrant groups and documented mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and businesses.
Sabastian Sawe became the first athlete to run a sub-two hour marathon in race conditions, clocking 1hr 59min 30sec in London on 26 April 2026. He received a hero's welcome on his return to Kenya, where President William Ruto compared his achievement to historic milestones including the first four-minute mile and the moon landing.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed former ambassador Wilfried Emvula as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, with ten members inaugurated for a term to January 2030. The council, established under the APRM Statute, will provide strategic oversight and ensure transparency in governance reforms aligned with Namibia's development plan and Africa's Agenda 2063.
Kenya's energy regulator has raised diesel and petrol prices to record levels, citing higher global oil and shipping costs exacerbated by conflict in Iran, even as the government cut value-added tax to cushion consumers. The increase occurs alongside a fuel quality scandal and reports of shortages, though officials say stocks are sufficient.